Smart Door Camera

Build your own little WiFi door camera that streams a live picture to a round desk display — no cloud, no subscription, no app store. Both parts live in clean, printable enclosures, and the whole thing is set up right from your phone.

Point the camera at your door (or window, desk, 3D printer…) and watch the feed on a cute round 1.28″ screen across the room. It runs entirely on your own home WiFi.

Two 3D-printed modules that work together:

- 📷 Camera module — houses an ESP32-CAM with an external WiFi antenna and sits on a small stand so you can aim it anywhere. 

- 🟢 Display module — a rounded enclosure with a round 1.28″ screen on the front and an on/off switch + USB-C port on the back. It shows the camera's live video.

Power them up, connect your phone to each module's WiFi hotspot, type in your home WiFi — done.

The camera streams, the display shows it. ✨

*The original Cam-Case is from the following project. I made some changes for better fitment: https://makerworld.com/en/models/1220385-esp32-cam-case-kit-snap-fit-ball-joint

Highlights
 

- 📱 Set up from your phone — each module opens a small web page (captive portal). No PC or app needed to get it on your WiFi.

- 📡 Always-on hotspot — each module keeps its own WiFi hotspot visible so you can reconfigure it anytime, even after it's mounted.

- 🔒 Optional password — lock each hotspot with your own password.

- 💡 Remote light — toggle the camera's built-in front LED from the display's web page.

- 🎨 Image tuning — adjust brightness, contrast, saturation, color effect and quality live.

- 🔌 No accounts, no cloud — everything stays on your local network.

What's included (3D files)

- Camera module enclosure (body + lid)

- Display module enclosure (body + lid)

Electronics you'll need

These are the exact parts used for this build:

- ESP32-CAM (AI-Thinker, OV2640) → https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3opiTUp

- ESP32-S3 dual Type-C dev board → https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4a0icBb

- 1.28″ round TFT display (GC9A01, 240×240) → https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3PFGw7j

- USB Type-C connector → https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c37zWXtF

- Mini round toggle switch → https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3Ep0wFj

You'll also need a few jumper wires, a USB-to-TTL adapter (3.3 V) or an ESP32-CAM-MB board to flash the camera, and a 5 V / ≥ 2 A power supply for everyday use.

🔧 Firmware + full build & wiring guide (GitHub)

The 3D files here are only the housings — the software, wiring diagram, and step-by-step flashing guide live on my GitHub:
 

👉 https://github.com/Tim-M-83/smart-door-camera

There you'll find the ready-to-flash firmware for both boards, the exact display wiring (GC9A01 ↔ ESP32-S3), and one-command flash scripts. It's beginner-friendly and fully documented.

Recommended print settings

- Material: PLA or PETG

- Layer height: 0.2 mm

- Walls: 2–3 perimeters

- Infill: 15–20 %

- Supports: only where needed (e.g. overhangs / port openings)

These are general starting points — adjust to your printer and the individual parts.

Assembly (quick overview, more details on my GitHub page)

1. Wire the GC9A01 display to the ESP32-S3 and the camera as shown in the GitHub guide.

2. Flash both boards (firmware + instructions on GitHub).

3. Fit the toggle switch and USB-C into the display enclosure; mount the screen and board.

4. Place the ESP32-CAM into the camera enclosure with its antenna out; close the lid.

5. Power on → connect your phone to each hotspot → enter your home WiFi → enjoy the live feed.

Notes

- ⚠️ The camera's front LED is very bright — don't stare into it up close.

- 🧩 Software is open source under the MIT license (see the GitHub repo).

- ❤️ If you build one, a like / boost / make is hugely appreciated!